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Specimen
Winner, 2016 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for Fiction
Finalist, 2016 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize
The stories in Specimen are a unique exploration of science and the human heart; the place where physical reality collides with our spiritual and emotional lives.
In “The Blood Keeper,” a young academic travels to North Korea to work on her dissertation and embarks on a dangerous affair. In “Mamochka,” which was nominated for the 2012 Journey Prize, an archivist at the Institute for Physics in Minsk, must come to terms with her daughter’s marriage to a Chinese man in Vancouver. In “Peptide P,” scientists study a disease that seems to affect children after they eat hotdogs. In “Side Effects,” a woman’s personality is altered, and not necessarily for the better, by botox injections. In “The Big One,” a woman and her daughter find themselves trapped in the rubble of an underground parking garage after an earthquake.
Stylistically varied and with settings that range from North Korea and Minsk to Vancouver and Gdansk, Kovalyova is daring and confident new voice in Canadian fiction.
Finalist, 2016 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize
The stories in Specimen are a unique exploration of science and the human heart; the place where physical reality collides with our spiritual and emotional lives.
In “The Blood Keeper,” a young academic travels to North Korea to work on her dissertation and embarks on a dangerous affair. In “Mamochka,” which was nominated for the 2012 Journey Prize, an archivist at the Institute for Physics in Minsk, must come to terms with her daughter’s marriage to a Chinese man in Vancouver. In “Peptide P,” scientists study a disease that seems to affect children after they eat hotdogs. In “Side Effects,” a woman’s personality is altered, and not necessarily for the better, by botox injections. In “The Big One,” a woman and her daughter find themselves trapped in the rubble of an underground parking garage after an earthquake.
Stylistically varied and with settings that range from North Korea and Minsk to Vancouver and Gdansk, Kovalyova is daring and confident new voice in Canadian fiction.
296 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
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268 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 1, 2016
“People like to pretend that our genes define the truth for us. But I assure you that’s not the case,” a character insists in the title story. Diverse in setting and form, these nine stories, long-listed for the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award, contrast the scientific understanding of genetics with deeper wisdom about the bonds of love and family. Nestling science into rich psychological narratives, Kovalyova’s work is reminiscent of that of Andrea Barrett and A. S. Byatt; in fact, the latter is directly referenced in one story. She also channels Anthony Marra and Adam Johnson by affirming love’s survival in spite of repressive situations.
See my full review at Foreword.
See my full review at Foreword.
August 23, 2017
I took it slow with Specimen, reading one story a day to be able to truly appreciate them independent of each other. It worked out great. There are some really creative stories in the bunch: a woman's mood changes based on her Botox injections, a mysterious illness develops from eating synthetically created meat, a startling confession is revealed during an experiment on a dying man. There is no doubt that Irina Kovalyova can churn out very imaginative tales to catch readers off guard, and her background in biology only helps with the credibility of her subjects. The only novella in the collection, The Blood Keeper, unfortunately did not work very well for me, as I found it a bit heavy-handed and melodramatic. Without it, I think, the collections would have been a much more even experience. Nevertheless, I would love to see the author continue her career in fiction writing.
March 11, 2022
Really interesting book. I wasn’t too keen on it from the start but soon got very into the stories and fell deeply into them, especially the end novella!! Not a great book though to read after my mom passing away because there was a prominent, overarching theme of mothers and dead mothers too. So yeah. But still loved it!!
June 8, 2017
I loved Kovalyova's collection of short stories. I am so glad that the universe brought me to the "new" shelf at the public library where I happened upon this book.
As a soviet expat with a background in science myself, I enjoy reading works written in English by authors who share my background. There is a distinct quality to English-language works by authors whose first language is not English -- cultural insight that cannot come secondhand, and other aspects that's I cannot yet describe. The intersection of art and science is palpable in these stories, and is so satisfying. I look forward to reading more of Kovalyova's works.
As a soviet expat with a background in science myself, I enjoy reading works written in English by authors who share my background. There is a distinct quality to English-language works by authors whose first language is not English -- cultural insight that cannot come secondhand, and other aspects that's I cannot yet describe. The intersection of art and science is palpable in these stories, and is so satisfying. I look forward to reading more of Kovalyova's works.
June 22, 2023
I read this book my sophomore year of high school for pleasure reading and I haven’t gone a day without thinking about it. A lovely collection of short stories. If you’re looking for one, this is it.
September 9, 2025
4.5 stars. Such an enjoyable collection of short stories.
June 14, 2023
It's alright.
The titular story was underwhelming. If I recall correctly, there was 1 story that jumped out at me as a standout favourite, with a couple others being fairly interesting. The final entry was an interesting change of pace, and an applaudable effort at a longer story.
The titular story was underwhelming. If I recall correctly, there was 1 story that jumped out at me as a standout favourite, with a couple others being fairly interesting. The final entry was an interesting change of pace, and an applaudable effort at a longer story.
July 5, 2016
I read Specimen Stories by Irina Kovalyova and it was a great collection of short stories and a novella. I am going to staff pick this book! My favourite is “Side Effects” I found the concept of it really innovative a woman who gets Botox which alters her personality it was funny at times. The author tells her stories in really innovative and unique ways (from traditional storytelling to lists).
June 20, 2016
It's an interesting read, especially the story about North Korea, but it needs more of a soul.
October 31, 2019
(Review first published in Shelf Awareness).
Irina Kovalyova, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, makes full use of her background in these eight stories and one novella, combining science with a strong and empathetic understanding of human vulnerability. "The Side Effects" confronts the casual and cavalier application of medicine. Paula visits a dermatologist for a rash on her back. Uninterested in the rash, the doctor pushes Paula to try Botox treatments on her forehead. Post-injection, the doctor offhandedly mentions that she may notice a difference in her moods--before she loses her emotional complexity and is absorbed into a numbness that permeates her life. In "Peptide P," Kovalyova brings readers uncomfortably close to new scientific possibilities, with fatal and disturbing consequences that victimize children. The story examines the artificial food industry, corporate power and ethics. It calls to mind Huxley's Brave New World, but Kovalyova's more experimental format holds a chilling clinical detachment.
In "Mamochka," nominated for the 2012 Journey Prize, she highlights the domestic desire for familial relationships with stirring empathy. The story explores the cultural and generational gaps between a woman living in Minsk, Russia, and her daughter studying in Canada. The mother attempts to understand her daughter's world, but is unable to bridge the chasm between them. With a range of themes and influences, Specimen is an entertaining and thought-provoking literary gem.
Irina Kovalyova, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, makes full use of her background in these eight stories and one novella, combining science with a strong and empathetic understanding of human vulnerability. "The Side Effects" confronts the casual and cavalier application of medicine. Paula visits a dermatologist for a rash on her back. Uninterested in the rash, the doctor pushes Paula to try Botox treatments on her forehead. Post-injection, the doctor offhandedly mentions that she may notice a difference in her moods--before she loses her emotional complexity and is absorbed into a numbness that permeates her life. In "Peptide P," Kovalyova brings readers uncomfortably close to new scientific possibilities, with fatal and disturbing consequences that victimize children. The story examines the artificial food industry, corporate power and ethics. It calls to mind Huxley's Brave New World, but Kovalyova's more experimental format holds a chilling clinical detachment.
In "Mamochka," nominated for the 2012 Journey Prize, she highlights the domestic desire for familial relationships with stirring empathy. The story explores the cultural and generational gaps between a woman living in Minsk, Russia, and her daughter studying in Canada. The mother attempts to understand her daughter's world, but is unable to bridge the chasm between them. With a range of themes and influences, Specimen is an entertaining and thought-provoking literary gem.
June 20, 2017
Irina Kovalyova's Specimen collects a curious selection of biochem-based 100% organic is it ex-pat/is it post-MFA lit fic. I'm spoiled by The Gold Bug Variations but I found the book most enjoyable -- just a wee bit flat in some stories.
Highlights: "Mamochka", where a mother laments the fate of her repatriated daughter but finds hope in an amazing workplace accident; "Specimen", where the daughter of an assisted fertility couple """reconnects""" with her paternal father; "Peptide p", a story written in the guise of an academic paper that explores the chemical constituents of loss and heartbreak; and "The Blood Keeper", a long short story that is amalgamates a generational love story with a DPRK/Russia political espionage drama.
Highlights: "Mamochka", where a mother laments the fate of her repatriated daughter but finds hope in an amazing workplace accident; "Specimen", where the daughter of an assisted fertility couple """reconnects""" with her paternal father; "Peptide p", a story written in the guise of an academic paper that explores the chemical constituents of loss and heartbreak; and "The Blood Keeper", a long short story that is amalgamates a generational love story with a DPRK/Russia political espionage drama.
June 30, 2019
I wouldn't rate all of the stories the same, but overall, I liked them. My two favorite stories were "Peptide P" and "The Blood Keeper." I'm a fan of plague scifi and dystopian stories and these two hit those buzzers. I really liked The Blood Keeper because it hit all the marks of a dystopia without being scifi or speculative by having the setting deep within North Korea.
Edit: The final story has enough to it that it could be expanded to be its own novel. I hope the author considers doing this because I would definitely read it.
Edit: The final story has enough to it that it could be expanded to be its own novel. I hope the author considers doing this because I would definitely read it.
July 6, 2018
Each story with a relevant scientific connection. Each story in a different voice. Each story written with crystalline clarity. Each story a gem.
August 18, 2018
A good quick read- a mix of science and heart. Parts of some stories are quite memorable, and reading will leave you with a smile on your face.
May 28, 2020
This is one of those books that I think about from time to time because it was so well written.
March 25, 2017
An excellent collection of engaging stories - particularly the lengthy "The Blood Keeper." I hope we will get more from this promising new writer.
September 5, 2020
Specimen's short stories are seemingly about science, but each shares some insight about people. Some of the stories were misses for me, but all of them made me think and I appreciate that. I don't usually read a short story collection cover-to-cover, but Irina Kovalyova's writing is so good I was sucked in immediately. And without overly-flowery sentimentality or saccharine romanticism holding back her writing, these stories hit me that much harder when they touched my heart. Highlights for me were "Mamochka," "Specimen," "The Big One," and "The Bloodkeeper."
July 16, 2015
This was a beautiful collection of stories written in diverse styles. I enjoyed the variety of approaches to the writing. I liked how the author blended science into such artistic writing: I don't often encounter scientists in stories that are written as stories, not about science. My favourite story in the collection was the novella "Blood Keeper". I found this tale of life of a Russian in North Korea to be a fascinating (and seemingly realistic, given the little I have learned about North Korea from the media) exploration of life in that enigmatic country.
July 4, 2018
The stories are hit and miss. The ones I liked best reminded me of The Best of Kim Stanley Robinson, where science is employed as a tool to help us understand the questions we come up against in our everyday lives, and the scientific outlook becomes a cornerstone of a sound philosophy. Hope to read more from Kovalyova soon.
August 26, 2016
Kovalyova writes in many different genres here, and does each one well...she has a knack for whatever voice she decides to use. The stories are great, and the novella was a real page turner! Although it lost me just a teeny bit at the end in her wrap-up manner...but then sucked me backed in at the last! A great talent, and one I'll look forward to reading more from.
April 23, 2018
Very smart stories with heart - I really enjoyed this unique collection of short stories. They all have a heavy slant on science, but the stories didn't feel clinical or showing off the author's strong science background. Very well written, engaging and interesting.
November 30, 2015
Lovely and fresh.
September 13, 2016
A collection of short stories with characters that were in a scientific field. Interesting idea but tried to hard to be intellectual at times. The last story was a novella, it was good.
May 3, 2017
I write, publish, and review science-y thriller and suspense fiction. But I’m interested in any literature that has a science worldview or themes. Specimen is a wonderful example of this kind of book, sometimes called LabLit. Written by a working scientist who also holds an MFA degree, it’s a collection of short stories plus one novella all written by Dr. Kovalyova. The stories are literary, artsy, sometimes beautiful, sometimes weird, and always intriguing. While not all of the stories are heavily or obviously science-themed, they all have science aspects and certainly a scientist’s way of seeing things embedded in the text.
The collection has lots of variety, too. Kovalyova experiments with different story structures. In particular, science-y folks will love “Peptide P,” a work of short fiction told entirely in the format of a scientific journal article. It’s brilliant, original, and effective, and like all great short stories, throws a twist at the end. My second favorite story was “The Side Effects,” a love story and psychological/medical suspense tale told from the point of view of a psych patient.
The final thing I’ll mention is the stories also have a Russian/Eastern European influence. I’m not a literary scholar so I can’t give you much more detail, but it’s there in settings and tone.
If you like Specimen, you might enjoy: The Afflictions by Vikram Paralkar
The collection has lots of variety, too. Kovalyova experiments with different story structures. In particular, science-y folks will love “Peptide P,” a work of short fiction told entirely in the format of a scientific journal article. It’s brilliant, original, and effective, and like all great short stories, throws a twist at the end. My second favorite story was “The Side Effects,” a love story and psychological/medical suspense tale told from the point of view of a psych patient.
The final thing I’ll mention is the stories also have a Russian/Eastern European influence. I’m not a literary scholar so I can’t give you much more detail, but it’s there in settings and tone.
If you like Specimen, you might enjoy: The Afflictions by Vikram Paralkar
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews